Anguished: meaning, definitions and examples

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anguished

 

[ ˈæŋɡwɪʃt ]

Adjective / Verb
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling

Experiencing or expressing severe mental or physical pain or suffering.

Synonyms

agonized, suffering, tormented.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
anguished

Used when describing a deep emotional pain or distress, often seen in literature or dramatic contexts.

  • 'He felt anguished over the loss of his beloved pet
  • ' 'Her anguished cries echoed through the empty house
  • '
tormented

Implies severe and prolonged suffering, often with a sense of being mentally or emotionally plagued, and is frequently used to describe characters in literature or historical figures.

  • 'He was tormented by nightmares every night
  • ' 'The tormented artist struggled to find peace
  • '
suffering

Describes ongoing pain or distress, either physical or emotional, and is commonly used in both everyday and medical contexts.

  • 'She is suffering from a severe headache
  • ' 'The community is suffering from the impact of the natural disaster
  • '
agonized

Refers to intense physical or mental suffering, typically used to depict severe pain or a difficult decision-making process.

  • 'She had an agonized expression as she tried to lift the heavy object
  • ' 'He spent an agonized night thinking about the consequences of his actions
  • '

Examples of usage

  • She let out an anguished cry.
  • The anguished expression on his face was heart-wrenching.
Context #2 | Verb

action

Showing an acute awareness of one's own deficiencies or of the limitations of one's circumstances.

Synonyms

agonize, stew, worry.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
anguished

Used to describe extreme mental or emotional pain, often in dramatic or serious situations.

  • She had an anguished look on her face after hearing the tragic news
  • His anguished cries were heart-wrenching to hear
agonize

Refers to the act of suffering intense mental or physical pain, often while trying to make a difficult decision.

  • He agonized over whether to accept the job offer abroad
  • She agonized for days about whether she made the right choice
worry

Used to describe a general state of concern or anxiety over potential problems or uncertainties.

  • Parents often worry about their children's safety
  • She couldn't help but worry about the upcoming exams
stew

Implies feeling worried or agitated over something, often in a less serious or more colloquial context.

  • He stewed over the argument he had with his friend
  • Don't stew about the interview; you'll do fine

Examples of usage

  • He anguished over his decision for days.
  • She anguished over the loss of her loved one.

Translations

Translations of the word "anguished" in other languages:

🇵🇹 angustiado

🇮🇳 व्याकुल

🇩🇪 gequält

🇮🇩 tersiksa

🇺🇦 мучений

🇵🇱 udręczony

🇯🇵 苦しんでいる

🇫🇷 angoissé

🇪🇸 angustiado

🇹🇷 ıstıraplı

🇰🇷 고뇌하는

🇸🇦 مضطرب

🇨🇿 úzkostný

🇸🇰 úzkostlivý

🇨🇳 痛苦的

🇸🇮 mučen

🇮🇸 kvalinn

🇰🇿 азап шеккен

🇬🇪 ტანჯული

🇦🇿 əziyyət çəkən

🇲🇽 angustiado

Etymology

The word 'anguished' originated from the Old French word 'anguisse', which in turn came from the Latin word 'angustia' meaning 'tightness' or 'distress'. Over time, the term evolved to encompass the idea of extreme mental or physical suffering, reflecting the deep emotional turmoil experienced by individuals in distressing situations.

See also: anguish.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,908, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.